This weekend

Here are a few things happening in Eastern North Carolina this weekend

Here are a few things happening in Eastern North Carolina this weekend:

PINE KNOLL SHORES

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is celebrating three of its favorite animals with the annual Otter Birthday Bash from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5. The event is free with admission or for members of the aquarium.

The celebration honors river otters Neuse, Pungo and Eno and the conservation success story of their species Activities include signing a big birthday card, watching the animals, and enjoying otter-oriented birthday gifts and ice cakes. Attendees can explore the world of otters with crafts, programs, and a slideshow of otters in action.

Eno, who inspired the annual celebration, arrived at the aquarium in 2008 as an orphaned infant needing constant care. As he grew, he had to learn important otter skills such as swimming, eating fish and getting along with others. Pungo and Neuse have lived at the aquarium since 2006. The celebration highlights the comeback of otters in North Carolina after they had all but disappeared from the state due to over-hunting for their fur, and loss of habitat due to development and pollution. Because of conservation measures and reintroduction efforts, they once again inhabit waterways throughout the state.

The annual Earth Day Party for the Planet April 22 at the aquarium will include the Cakes for Conservation competition. Bakers ages 5 and up are invited to create cakes that depict “Backyard Buddies” – amphibians, birds, snakes, turtles, insects and plants you might see from your deck or in your garden, and compete for cash prizes. There is no entry fee. Judges will be looking for creativity, taste, portrayal of the theme and use of local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Cash prizes to be awarded include $100 to the winner in the professional category; $50 for the amateur division winner; and $25 for the best effort in the junior amateur category for ages 5-17. Completed cakes should be delivered to the Aquarium between 3 and 5 p.m. April 21 or between 8 and 10 a.m. on April 22. All cakes will be on display from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. April 22. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. After the awards, visitors are invited to partake in a taste test of all the entries.

The bake-off is part of a week-long Earth Day Party for the Planet April 20 through 26 at the aquarium. Green Places and Spaces is the theme for displays and activities that emphasize simple ways to “go green” at home. Activities are free with admission or membership.

On April 19, the Aquarium and its traveling touch tanks join 20 other conservation-minded organizations at Fort Macon State Park for the Crystal Coast Earth Day Celebration. There will be live music, hands-on activities and other family fun focused on green living from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores for more information.

JACKSONVILLE

The Onslow County Public Library will host a Library Baby Shower from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at the Main Library in Jacksonville. All new parents and parents-to-be are invited to join. The Library Baby Shower program will highlight all the valuable resources that the library and other community agencies can provide for little ones, and will feature a short laptime session, door prizes, and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. Register online. For more information, please visit www.onslowcountync.gov/library or call the OCPL Youth Services Department at the Main Library in Jacksonville at 910.455.7350, ext. 1420.

WASHINGTON

Goose Creek State Park calendar of events for April:

All programs begin at 2 p.m. and meet at the visitor center unless stated otherwise.

April 5: Nature’s Mysteries at 2 p.m. Do you know how a beaver assists in the making of perfume? Meet at the park Visitor Center to learn some crazy, amazing, random facts about some wildlife.

April 12: Campground Cooking at 4 p.m. Are you interested in campfire cooking? We will teach you how to make some simple, tasty treats over a toasty campfire. There are 10 spots available, call the park office at 252-923-2191 for reservation or information.

April 19: Earth Day Celebration Hike at 2 p.m. Take a moment to celebrate Earth Day by visiting Goose Creek State Park for a ranger guided nature hike. You will have the opportunity to experience some of nature’s most beautiful sights while learning about the ecosystems along the way. Please meet at the third parking lot to begin your hike along our Mallard Creek trail. The trail is approximately three-quarters of a mile. Please dress appropriately and bring a bottle of water.

April 26: Reptile Hike at 2 p.m. Meet at the park Visitor Center to participate in an easy ranger guided hike through the swamp. We will be in search of snakes, turtles and whatever else might cross our path. We will also discuss the importance of wetlands while we venture along. Please dress appropriately, bring water, sunscreen and bug spray.

JACKSONVILLE & HAVELOCK

The Cole Bros. Circus is coming to Jacksonville and Havelock. Performances take place at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 4; and at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 5 and 6 at the Onslow County Fairgrounds. Advance tickets for these performances can be purchased through April 3 at Dorwarts Garage on Freedom Way in Hubert, Wagoner Insurance & Appraisal on NC 172 in Sneads Ferry, I Need It Now Trophies on Gum Branch Road in Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune ITT on West Road, or at tickets.com. Performances at Havelock City Park take place at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 7, 8 and 9. Advance tickets for these performances can be purchased through April 6 at Kittrell Auto Sales on Main Street in Havelock, Tops Cigars on Main Street in Havelock­, the Painted Pelican on Highway 70 in Morehead City, Coastal Mini Storage on Highway 70 in Havelock, or at tickets.com. Advance tickets save $5 for adult admission. Free tickets for kids 12 and under can be found at GoToTheCircus.com. Advance tickets cost $16 for adult general admission, and $4 more for reserved seats. VIP seats are available for $7 more.

NEWPORT

The 36th annual Newport Pig Cooking Contest takes place April 4 and 5 at Newport Town Park. The free event will include a pig cooking contest with cash prizes and there will be crafts, BBQ plates, funnel cakes, a bake sale and amusement rides. On April 4 from 4 to 7 p.m., the Cold Biscuit Band will play with the Fantastic Shakers following from 7 to 10 p.m. On April 5 from 10 a.m. to noon will be the Ryder Preston Elvis Show. From noon to 5:30 p.m., North Tower will play. For more information, call 252-223-PIGS or visit newportpigcooking.com.

ONSLOW COUNTY

Community Contra Dance is held every first Friday of the month from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Farmer’s Market Building. Contra dancing is similar to square dancing but not limited to groups of four couples. Long lines and big circles are common in contras. Concessions are available at the 1st Friday dances. Admission is $7 per person; $5 per student and a $20 family cap. For more information, call 910-548-0505 or visit kingsfriendmusic. com/ contradance.php.

JACKSONVILLE

The Council for the Arts is pleased to announce its April exhibit “Onslow Art Society’s Spring Art Show,” which will feature artists from North Carolina.

An opening reception is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. April 6. The public is invited, free of charge. The exhibit will continue through April 25 with the Arts Council open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Council for the Arts is located at 826 New Bridge Street in downtown Jacksonville. For more information, call (910) 455-9840 or visit the website www.jaxarts.com

JACKSONVILLE

A Concert in Oz presented by Charles Coakley Jr. Conservatory at 7 p.m. April 4 and 5; and 3 p.m. April 5 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church parish hall located at 711 Henderson Drive. A celebration of the music from the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked. Tickets cost $8 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Call 910-939-5387.

NEW BERN

New Bern Civic Strings rounds out its second season with a spring concert on at 7 p.m. April 7 at the Centenary Methodist Church located at 309 New St. in historic downtown New Bern. Admission is free.

The concert’s guest conductor is Public Radio East’s Finley Woolston, current music director of Richlands United Methodist Church and director and conductor of the Crystal Coast Choral Society. The concert features Rachel Harmatuk Pino and Elizabeth Ivy violin soloists.

The program also includes music by Mozart, Holst, Rachmaninoff, Leonard Bernstein, Gluck, and Johann Strauss Jr. For more information see http://www.newberncivicstrings.org.

WILMINGTON

TheatreNow presents the dinner show “Rude Bitches Make Me Tired” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights April 4 through April 26. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $32 (includes $2 donation to Interfaith Hospitality Network) Based on the novel by Southern Humorist, Celia Rivenbark, this dinner theater adaptation takes audience members a series of irreverent etiquette lessons. Comes with 3-course meal. Beverages and gratuity not included.

The Kid’s Show: Super Saturday Fun Time, plays Saturdays at 3 to 4:30 p.m. and costs $8. Includes snack and drop off for ages 5+.

Easter Jazz Brunch with Grenoldo Frazier goes from 12 to 2 p.m. April 20 and costs $20/$15 children. Listen to piano from Frazie and enjoy a 3-course brunch.

SWANSBORO

Swansboro High School presents “The Pajama Game” at 7 p.m. April 3 and 4 and at 3 p.m. April 5 in the high school auditorium. General admission costs $8 for adults; $7 students under 18. Reserved seating for the first three middle rows costs $15 for one or $55 for four. Contact david.laughinghouse@onslow.k12.nc.us for reserved seating. To purchase general admission tickets, email melynda.morrone@onslow.k12.nc.us or call 910-326-4300 during school hours or after school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:45 to 5 p.m.

NEWPORT

Croatan High School presents “Footloose” April 3 through 12.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. April 3, 5, 10, 11 and 12; the performance on April 6 begins at 2 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students in grades 6 through 12; $5 for students in kindergarten through 5th grade; and free for kids pre-school age or younger.

For more information or to buy tickets, contact 252-393-7022 or barbara.swigart@carteretk12.org.

Croatan High School is located at 3355 Hwy 24 in Newport.

JACKSONVILLE

Jacksonville High School puts on its 51st annual spring musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” in the Robert B. Gaskins Auditorium at the high school located at 1021 Henderson Dr. in Jacksonville.

Performances start at 7:30 p.m. April 4 and 5, and at 3 p.m. April 6.

For more information, call 910-989-2048.

JACKSONVILLE

White Oak High School in Jacksonville is putting on the musical “Annie” at 7 p.m. on April 3 through 5. Tickets are on sale now at WOHS and cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 910-455-1541.